Rudy Ruppe

Rudolph Robert Ruppe (April 13, 1925 – October 6, 1976) was an American college football player and high school sports coach and administrator. He was the starting quarterback at Oregon State College—now known as Oregon State University—in the late 1940s. A longtime coach and the first athletic director at Reedsport Union High School, Ruppe is the namesake of the Reedsport High School football field.

Early life and playing career Ruppe was born April 13, 1925. He attended North Bend High School, where he distinguished himself as an athlete, being regarded as among the best football players in the history of the school. Ruppe graduated from North Bend High in 1943 and enlisted in the United States Navy to serve during World War II. He remained in uniform for two years. His best sport proved to be football, however, as he became a four-year football letterman for OSC. In addition, he was able to guide Reedsport to the state quarterfinals for their division in 1953, 1954, and 1961. He turned in a record of 11–10 as head coach of the Reedsport roundball squad during his single season in charge. Ruppe was also lauded with a lead editorial in the Coos Bay World as "a great teacher, a great citizen" and one who put the task of education ahead of athletic competition.

Ruppe's public words to irate boosters at the end of a relatively unsuccessful football season were recalled. "Gentlemen," he said, "if you expect me to win football games for you, then you have the wrong man. That is not my job."

Ruppe was further lauded at that November 2 game with the naming of the Reedsport football venue as "Rudy Ruppe Field" in his honor.

Ruppe died October 6, 1976, in a nursing home in Coos Bay, Oregon. He was 51 years old at the time of his death. He was buried at Reedsport Cemetery.